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The Chemistry of Joy . . . (and other emotions) from your kitchen

One of my long time friends (who shall remain nameless but who I closely work with on a blog – which also shall remain nameless) “hates” me because I weigh about the same I did when we went to high school together. (“Hate” may be a bit too strong but she’s been known to say that to my face.)

I can’t help it that I’m just not a glutton like one of my long time friends (who shall remain nameless but who I closely work with on a blog – which also shall remain nameless).

I can’t help it that I eat healthy in moderation unlike one of my long time friends (who shall remain nameless but who I closely work with on a blog – which also shall remain nameless).

When I found this research I thought I might share it with you and one of my long time friends (who shall remain nameless but who I closely work with on a blog – which also shall remain nameless).

The Chemistry of Joy

Our mood, our outlook and our energy levels are determined to a huge extent by the chemicals serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine and their relationship to one another.

We feel good when they are in balance. Beta endorphins also create a feeling of well-being, connectedness to others, and emotional stability. They even help us tolerate pain.

If levels of norepinephrine and dopamine are low, people will slow down, sleep a lot, have trouble concentrating and find it hard to motivate themselves.They can have a “sluggish” depression.

On the other hand,people with high levels of norepinephrine and dopamine, and possibly low levels of serotonin often feel angry, resentful and despairing.They can be critical and demanding. This would be an “agitated ” depression.

A third kind of depression can occur withlow levels of serotonin, which results in people feeling fearful , worried and inadequate. This is an “anxious” depression.

Here is where he kitchen comes in:

Agitated Depression – Eating to DECREASE norepinephrine and dopamine:eat the same as to increase serotonin but eat very small amounts of protein. A vegetarian diet would be good.

Anxious Depression – Eating to INCREASE serotonin:Increase carbs, eat tryptophan, which is in nuts, dairy, and meats. Eat regularly throughout the day. Get some protein, but not a large amount.

SUGAR (also alcohol) elevates beta endorphins, which may be why people have sugar cravings. This elevation only lasts a short time, because the body metabolizes it quickly. This results in a “low” that follows the sugar “high”, and you want more sugar! My long time friend (who shall remain nameless but who I closely work with on a blog – which also shall remain nameless) can avoid this by eating complex carbs and protein.

Cholesterol helps the brain make the chemicals we need. So if you are depressed, eat some fat: Halibut, salmon, grains and nuts that have omega 3 and animal fat with omega 6 are both needed in balance.

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And so my long time friend(who shall remain nameless but who I closely work with on a blog – which also shall remain nameless)

Hello Judy-Judith and thanks for this! It reminds me of that old TV show “The Golden Girls”. The ‘girls’ always seemed to have a whole cheesecake in the fridge, ready in case of a middle-of-the-night crisis they needed to work on together.

Wonder if all that angst among the roommates was sluggish, agitated or anxious? The point seemed to be: cheesecake works!

I bought a squishy about 8″ diameter ball that lights up to throw around at the assisted living place where my mother was living to liven things up, maybe mostly my mood. A daughter told me she had never seen her mother play ball. That ball made 5 elderly people laugh and smile and at least two daughters. Maui and Peggy were absolutely correct. Play ball.